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How to survive winter? Go outside (video)

By Katina Caraganis , kcaraganis@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
02/18/2014 11:28:30 AM EST

With all the snowstorms the region has gotten recently, it does make it great to get out and do a bit of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Getting out on the Flat Rock Sanctuary trails in Fitchburg Monday on their snowshoes are Dee DiConza, left, and Jane McFadden of Leominster. More snow is ahead; see Page 2. View video and a slide show at sentinelandenterprise.com. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/JOHN LOVE

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FITCHBURG -- While many people living and working in North Central Massachusetts are grumbling at the thought of yet another winter storm ripping through the region today, those who enjoy outdoor winter activities are reveling in the snow's beauty.

Central Massachusetts is expected to get another 3 to 6 inches dumped on it throughout the day today, according to the National Weather Service.

Joe DiConza of Leominster has been snowshoeing with his wife for 10 years and has been cross-country skiing for at least twice that long. The pair, along with a friend, have been loving the condition of the trails as a result of all the snow.

Joe DiConza of Leominster tests out the trails at Flat Rock Sanctuary in Fitchburg on Monday. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE

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"It's wonderful. The woods are just beautiful," Joe DiConza said after snowshoeing on the Flat Rock trails behind Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg Monday afternoon.

The trio went about 1 and 1/2 miles and said the conditions couldn't have been more perfect.

"It's just beautiful. There's a nice base already out there on the trails and there's a little bit of fresh powder on top," he said. "It's so nice up here."

Dee DiConza agreed, saying the trails aren't well known in the city, and they become a nice escape.

"You couldn't find any nicer area in the city to go. It's gorgeous here," she said.

Rick Hajjar, owner of Sport Loft Ski and Snowboard Shops in Fitchburg, said this season has been one of the best they've seen in a while.

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"The ski sales, even this past weekend, have been incredible. It's just incredible what the snow has done. Sometimes it's not just one storm but two together that make people remember it is the winter," he said.

They have six stores between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and all have seen increases in sales.

"I know in November, December, January and February, all of our stores, every one, has increased in sales," he said. "In February, some of our stores have already exceeded last year's February numbers. This amount of snow makes a huge difference."

In addition to selling new and used skis and snowboards, they also do daily and season rentals, Hajjar said.

"What we do is a lot of seasonal rentals. Families with young children can rent their skis for a season and get them at the right size," he said. "Parents are always concerned about getting the most use for their dollar. This way they can rent them and keep them all season and bring them back."

Tom and Dianne Starr, of Fitchburg, agreed, calling the trails a "hidden gem" in the city. The pair arrived at the Burbank trails just before lunch time to get in some cross-country skiing.

"The snowshoers tend to make the trail nice for cross country skiers," he said. "It's just beautiful being out here in the winter."

Joyce Leger, of Leominster, has been skiing and snowshoeing for much of her life and said the conditions behind Burbank have some of the best she has seen in a long time.

"It's absolutely fabulous here. There are so many places around this city that people don't know about but are great for outdoor activities," Leger said. "This place is such a hidden gem. Nobody knows it's here and I hope it stays that way."

Her boyfriend, Leo Daley, agreed, saying he's only cross-country skied a few times but said it's the best thing he's ever gotten into recently.

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